Dahlia Explosion

Isn't this a wonderful time-lapse video? I love dahlias, don't you? via

The Antiques Collection of Professor Sir Albert Richardson, P.R.A. with Video

The great eccentric architect Sir Albert Richardson filled his house with treasures. I have been fascinated by the story I posted a couple of days ago with a photo of a hallway full of antiques untouched since 1964.

Richardson’s passion for 18th-century artifacts became all-consuming. Now (September 2013) his grandson is reluctantly selling the collection (Christopher Simon Sykes/World of Interiors/Condé Nast) Be sure to read the article that goes with the above photo. You won't be able to see the other photos in the slideshow unless you subscribe to The London Sunday Times. You can read the article however HERE.

I also found the press release from Christie's in London with a video tour of Avenue House, Richardson's residence. It's amazing. The contents of Avenue House in Ampthill – the collection assembled by Sir Albert Richardson (1880–1964), architect, historian, writer, artist, teacher and sometime President of the Royal Academy – is now being sold by Christie’s in London.
“My house is my yardstick!” Richardson declared. “It is my measuring scale by which I contemplate the past and assess the future.”

Watch the VIDEO of the collections in his home HERE.

We could have been fast friends. He was definitely a kindred spirit. Enjoy reading about this wonderful man. Read one more article HERE and the sadness that was felt when his treasures left Avenue House. Sorry about so many links but I can't get enough. Enjoy. xo

Apple Varieties and Their History

I love this ink and watercolor apple chart from Etsy with the place and date of origin. Gail's favorite Gravenstein and Red Gravenstein originated in Denmark in the 1600s. Who knew?

English Manor Decor

I love this photo and the caption that came with it.

Upstairs hall, untouched since 1964 in leading British architect Sir Albert Richardson’s (1880-1964) perfect country home in Bedfordshire, England. Via Christies - London, September 2013, image by Simon Upton.
"If you don’t think this is wonderful, then you need to go to your room and think about ways to become a better person." via

via

This is so true. When you feel that ache, it's the true pain of nostalgia.

An Amazing Balcony

"In the universe, there are things that are known, and things that are unknown, and in between, there are doors.” ― William Blake via

Southern Gothic 19th Century Southern Cottage - Furlow Gatewood

Save this post to read on Sunday Morning. That's what I'm going to do, indepth. I'm rushing to watch the new season of Doctor Who that's recording right now.

LABOR OF LOVE 

-- article from Veranda

While it doesn't look it now, this splendid mid-nineteenth-century gothic house was sawn in half and trucked sixty-five miles through Georgia.

"Anywhere I travel, I'm always looking at houses," says Furlow Gatewood. "This one was going to be torn down."

When the structure arrived at his property in Americus, a passerby was heard to say: "There goes the neighborhood." Well, talk about premature judgments!

Sounds good, doesn't it?
View the 12-photo slide show here.
Enjoy. xo

DIY Watercolor Set in Altoids Mint Tin

This is such a cool idea. I read about it on Cool Tools. Random people submit ideas and recommendations for their favorite tools. A lady who was traveling wrote this review.

Watercolor Tin DIY (prices vary) 

(Use Fimo air-dry clay [$5] for paint reservoirs)

“People have started taking old Altoids mint tins and squirting tubes of watercolor in them and they sell these little paintbrushes at the art store. I was in London a few weeks ago and I was staying in a nice hotel with nice stationery. I pulled out my little tin and I painted a picture of The Ritz hotel while sitting having a coffee and popped a flower I had pressed in there and mailed it to my daughter who was back home.”

Isn't this a darling idea? If you are artistic, wouldn't it be nice to have a tiny watercolor set in your purse to pop out when you see something you want to capture. It's pretty easy to find the water. It would be fun making the paint reservoirs too. What a unique gift! I don't know about you, but I always save my tins. xo

Inspector Lewis is back on PBS

I am absolutely heartbroken that I just discovered these two are back investigating murders in Oxford and I didn't know about it until last night. I missed the first two episodes of Masterpiece Mystery - boo hoo. I watched episode 3 last night and enjoyed it so much. I have searched and searched and cannot find full episodes online for what they are calling Season 3. Last night's episode 3 was entitled "Dark Matter" . It's very confusing because the old series was very long running and there might be an old season 3. Let me know if you find a place I can watch the first two episodes of this brand new season for 2014. I'll let you know if I find them too. The episode I watched last night is being repeated Saturday night in case you missed it. I subscribe to emails from PBS but they failed to alert me about this favorite series of mine. Anyway, I'm glad I'm glad Lewis and Hathaway are back! xo

An Amazing House with An Amazing Tree

This tree is perfectly places. What foresight the person that planted had! It is magnificent and not too close to the beautiful home. What a place. via

I accomplished everything on my list today. I was very busy and my three appointments, closely spaced, all worked perfectly. Success! I can hear thunder rumbling in the distance so I'd better close most of the windows. See you tomorrow. xo

Wonderful Kitchen Island w/ Big Farm Sink

I really like the double farm sink, the island, and the cabinetry. Everything except the window treatment and perhaps the floor.

I would put a colorful runner in front of this busy work area and that would help the coldness of the floor. The whole room needs to be accessorized to make it warmer. I have a really busy day ahead of me and I'm trying to keep my head on straight to get everything done in an orderly fashion. See you later. xo

Cotswold Cottage with Thatched Roof

There are no words, are there? It's just wonderful. via

Life's Little Instruction Book | Volume II | Page 81

A few more suggestions, observations, and reminders on how to live a happy and rewarding life.

This is a great page. I agree with all three points. The last one might be hard to do for a while. Here's what I'm picturing in my mind. Parent: "Okay?" Child: "No problem!"

Adorable Cottage

Don't you love the brick exterior and wood shingle roof? It's tiny but it appears to have a fireplace. Let's peek in the window. via

Such a Smart Cat.

Are you impressed? I certainly am. Never underestimate the intelligence of a cat. Mine never ceases to amaze me but she would rather sit outside my window and meow her head off until I open the front door for her. The hole in this fence was put there so the owner could reach through and unlock the fence. I wonder how long it took this kitty to figure it out as well? via

We are still having cool weather and my fleece feels good this morning. See you later.

Simple, Understated, Gorgeous House

This house is an exercise in Puritan simplicity. I wish I could see the rest. via Big pumpkins on either side of the front door would look nice here in the fall. Right now, it's a blank canvas.

Lovely House - Late Summer and Early Fall

The window boxes say summer but the trees say fall. This photo shows the best of both. I love the brick and cobblestone walk.  Absolutely stunning! via

We are having the coolest August I can ever remember. It feels more like late September. I'm not complaining but it makes me realize summer's almost over. Slow down August, I'm not ready to say goodbye to you quite yet. xo

Apple Cake Recipe Revised - So Good

I wasn't ready to give up on that low sugar German Apple Cake I posted several days ago. My first one was too dry but this one was perfect. I mixed it in my Cuisinart with the metal blade and it was less messy than bowl and beater method for such scant ingredients. I decided to make oat flour first by whizzing one cup of old fashioned oats in my food processor first and reserving them in a bowl. Then I followed the old recipe...Cream 3 Tablespoons Butter (last time I used coconut oil) with 1/4 cup of sugar and a pinch of salt. I used salted butter. Add one egg and continue mixing. Combine one cup flour with one teaspoon baking powder (my oats did not make quite one cup so I was forced to add some white flour -- darn). Next time I will grind more oats. Add dry ingredients to the sugar mixture with enough milk to make a stiff batter. I just dumped some soy milk from the carton and made a thinner mixture than last time that was pourable into a 9" round cake pan that was pre-buttered. Top with apples. This time I had to use 1-3/4 apples. I had a tiny bit of cinnamon sugar left over from the last time and I sprinkled it on top. I forgot to add the pats of butter on top but that was a good mistake because added butter was not needed. Bake at 350° for one hour. It was perfect and delicious. Will make this again and again. Not too sweet and very healthy. It had a cake texture instead of a shortbread texture like my first attempt. Try it, you will like it too. 

If you eat 1/2 of this cake, it will contain the same amount of sugar as one container of blueberry greek yogurt which has 20 grams of sugar or 5 teaspoons. I measured the number of teaspoons in 1/4 cup of sugar and it's 10. I think it's super healthy made with the oat flour and I'm very excited that I can eat this and not feel too much guilt. It would have been gluten free if I hadn't added the small amount of white flour. I used Pink Lady apples that are one of my favorite varieties. Don't have any apples on hand? Try peaches, plums, nectarines, blueberries, or even bananas. I hope I have the will will power to save a big wedge for tomorrow's breakfast. I'm posting this early in case you want to bake one for your Sunday supper dessert. xo

I just found a great article about oat flour and how to use it in baking written by the Self-Reliant Sisters. It's very informative and timely -- read it here.

Aiken SC Home - So Lovely !

Hitchcock Woods Residence. 

Melissa Ervin Interior Design.

This red sandy dirt road brings back memories of my previous life in South Carolina.

Yes, please.

Have a great Sunday. Mine is off to a good start. I woke up early and finished a movie I started last night. Then it started raining. Then it stopped. Now the sun is out and I have blue skies and white clouds and glistening raindrops on the trees. Sounds perfect, doesn't it? xo

The Perfect House

I adore this house with the wrap-around porch and the most delightful recessed balcony on the second floor. It's perfection, isn't it? via

Have a wonderful weekend. xo